Ski practicing method and apparatus



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SKI PRACTICING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Nov. 4, 1960 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 far/h ys.

United States Patent Gfifice This invention relates to a ski practice device, in particular to an indoor ski practice slope, and is a continuation-impart of my copending application Serial No. 50,441, filed August 18, 1960.

, In recent years skiing has become a very popular sport even though skiing conditions are dependent upon the weather and, in general, most skiers must travel great distances to enjoy the sport. Accordingly, it is a primary purpose of this invention to provide an indoor ski surface, which is not subject to weather and which may be constructed at any location-to facilitate both the teaching of skiing and enjoyment of the sport by those who are proficient.

Another purpose is a ski practice slope, which closely simulates the conditions of actual skiing, and in which the speed at which the skier descends the slope and the :angle of the slope may be varied.

Another purpose is a ski practice device of the type described which may alternately 'be used as a teaching medium for beginners, a practice area for more advanced skiers and as a means for staging profession-a1 demonstrations.

Another purpose is to provide a medium on which games involving skiing may be played.

Another purpose is a ski practice slope or surface including a movable belt and means for driving the belt at different speeds. 4

Another purpose is a ski practice device of the type described including a mirror positioned such that the skier may observe his form as he practices on the slope.

Another purpose is a ski practice slope or surface of the type described including a movable pile fabric belt, normally driven uphill, which may be wide enough for the skier to perform most of the normal skiing maneuvers.

Another purpose is a ski practice slope of the type described including a practice bar which extends out over the plane of the slope and may be used by beginners to get the feel of the slope.

Another purpose is a ski practice device of the type described including means for simulating the various terrain features normally found on a ski trail.

Another purpose is a ski practice device of the type described which may be used for downhill skiing, cross country skiing, etc.

Another purpose is a ski practice device including a movable pile fabric and means for maintaining an even" tension on the fabric.

Another purpose is a simulated ski surface which has the qualities of flexibility, resilience and stiffness.

Another purpose is a simulated ski surface which allows for edge control by the skier.

Other purposes will appear in the ensuing specification, V

drawings and claims.

The invention is illustrated diagrammatically in the following drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of an auditorium or the like including a number of the ski practice devices of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of one of the ski practice devices shown in FIGURE 1;

the ski surface.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged top view of the slope framework;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged section along plane 4-- 4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged section along plane 5--S of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective showing one type of structure for varying the terrain contour of the slope;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged side view showing the pile fabric of the belt;

FIGURE 7a is an enlarged side view, similar to FIG- URE 7, showing a further form of surfacing for the belt;

FIGURE 7b is an enlarged side view, similar to FIG- URE 7, showing still a further form of surfacing for the belt;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective showing :a modified form of belt;

FIGURE 9 is a partial top plan view of the belt showing a practice bar extending thereover;

FIGURE 10 is a section along plane 10 10 of FIG! URE 9;

FIGURE 11 is an enlargement of the mirror and support means therefor;

FIGURE 12 is a top plan view showing a further means of providing terrain variations;

FIGURE 13 is a section along plane 1313 of FIG- URE 12;

FIGURE 14 is a side elevation of a ski for use on the ski practice device of this invention;

' FIGURE 15 is a section along plane 15 -15 of FIG-' URE 14;

FIGURE 16 is a perspective of a further form of skimay'be useful in teaching beginners how to ski, as well as providing enjoyment of the sport for those proficient .in skiing. In addition, the invention may provide an excellent practice slope for experts who are not always able to go to a ski area. An important use of the invention is in the conditioning of cross-country skiers, as the particular structure shown may be run on a generally horizontal plane.

Another important aspect of the invention is (the use of the ski slope shown, along with a control means for varying the inclination and speed of the belt, as an indoor sport, which may be enjoyed, much as bowling. For example, those who have attained a certain degree of proficien'cy may want to vary the speed of the belt and the 1n-' clination of the slope, as their ability dictates, thus putting themselves in one class or another in which they could.

compete against similar skiers as to form and proficiency in executing various skiing maneuvers. I

' A further important feature resides in the qualities of may be stationary, as in a ski jump, as long as the surface has an edging quality as well as flexibility, resilience and stiffness.

FIGURE 1 diagrammatically illustrates an installation including a number of ski practicing devices such as disclosed herein. An auditorium or assembly hall 1 may Patented July '31, 1962 Such a surface need not be moved,but

auditorium or hall. It should be understood that the particular auditorium shown is only for purposes of illustration as any type of structure may be used which provides a roof over the ski paths and provides some means for seating spectators.

In FIGURE 2, the ski practice device of this invention includes a ski slope indicated generally at having side walls 12, and supported in an inclined position by a piston and cylinder 14 which is attached to the slope 10 intermediate its ends. Any type of device may be used to raise and lower the slope, the piston and cylinder 14 merely being an illustration. Preferably, the slope is pivoted at its low end 16 adjacent the ground surface. A safety platform or the like 20 may be pivotally mounted adjacent the upper end of the slope, both for safety purposes and to act as a possible starting point. The safety platform 20 may have walls 22 which are connected to the walls 12 through an accordion type connection 24. The lower end of the slope may have a runoff area or ramp 26, which is shown at a slight angle, so that the skier may move on and off the slope 10, regardless of its angle of inclination. The runoff platform may also be generally horizontal if desired, and under many circumstances a horizontal platform may be preferred.

In order that the safety platform 20 may always assume a generally horizontal position, regardless of the angle of inclination of the slope, the platform 20 is pivotally connected to a long rod or beam 28 which in turn is pivotally mounted to the ground at a point spaced from the lower end of the slope. The movement of the safety platform and the slope 10 is a parallelogram type movement in which the platform 20 will always be generally parallel to the ground surface and the beam or rod 28' will always be generally parallel to the slope 10. The piston 14 accordingly, moves both the slope and the platform 20. The details of the structure for maintaining the platform 20 level are not important, and the structure shown is only illustrative.

In some applications it may be desirable that the platform 20 remain at the same angle of inclination as the slope. Accordingly, the platform may be a stationary continuation of the slope and can be supported by a continuation of the slope structure.

In order that the skiers utilizing the ski practice device may study their performance and immediately correct any defects, a mirror or other reflective surface 30 may be positioned on a framework 32 at a point in front of and generally in alignment with the ski practice slope. Preferably, the mirror angle of inclination relative to the slope is adjustable, and preferably by an automatic drive means which may be remotely controlled. The mirror 30 may be pivoted at 34, generally intermediate the top and bottom of the mirror and may be mounted on the framework 32 by means of a supported bar 36. The means for adjusting the mirror may be connected to a drive rod or drive shaft 38 which is pivotally connected to the mirror generlly near the lower edge. The details of this construction are shown in FIGURE ll.

FIGURE 7 illustrates, as an example, a pile fabric which may be used to form the outer surface of the ski slope. Closed loops 40 of nylon may be woven on a backing 42. Preferably the nylon loops should be closely spaced. The nylon strands may be crimped, looped or coiled onto a base which may for example be of jute. The strands may be anchored to the base by a layer of latex which forms a binder for the pile. In addition, there may, if desired, be a rubber pad or any other type of resilient backing material between the backing 42 and the belt. Preferably, the belt is a three-ply canvas. Surfaces made of synthetic plastic extruded filaments such as nylon, also combine the necessary characteristics of resiliency, slipperiness and flexibility. In general, it is important that theslope material have an edging quality so that when the edge of the ski digs into the material, the material is strong enough to support the edge but yet sufliciently soft so that the edge may bite or grip the ski slope. In other words, the surface material must provide for edge control by the skier. As an example, a surface made of extruded or molded nylon rods integral. with a base of nylon in which the rods are on the order of a quarter of an inch in length and closely spaced, forms a type of pile surface which provides edge control and is satisfactory for skiing.

FIGURE 7a illustrates a surface including rods 40a on a backing 42a. The rods increase in diameter or cross section from the base toward the top. Suitable padding is illustrated at 43 in FIGURE 7a. FIGURE 7b illustrates small beads 40b of nylon or the like attached to a suitable backing 42b. Again, padding 43 may be beneath the backing 42b. The beads 4012 may be suitably attached, at their bottoms 41b, to the backing 4212.

As mentioned above, there are four important qualities for the skiing surface. It must have the edging quality described. It must be slippery so that the ski will easily slide, as a ski does on snow. The surface must be resilient so that it will bounce back after the skis have gone by to present the identical surfacefor the next skier. The surface must also be flexible. In other words, it must be yielding to some extent so as to more closely simulate actual skiing.

To further increase the slipperiness of the ski slope, it is at times advantageous to provide a dry lubricant for the surface, for example boric acid powder is satisfactory. It may besprinkled on the ski slope and the bottom of the skis may also be treated with this material.

FIGURES 3, 4 and 5 illustrate the details of a practical slope framework. There are two longitudinal channels or beams 44 on each side of the framework and two transverse or lateral beams 46 at each end. The beams 44 and 46 may be I-beams or otherwise. A plurality of structural channels or sections 48 may be supported by the beams 44 and may each include oppositely directed angles 50 and a framework of rods or the like 52 mounted between the angles. The entire structure may be welded or otherwise connected together.

The structural sections 48 and the cross beams 46 together support a platen or the like 54, which may be of wood, for example plywood. The pile fabric shown in FIGURE 7 and illustrated at 56 in FIGURE 4 moves over the plywood platen 54. Wood or plywood is advantageous for the platen in that it is more yielding than metal and it is desirable to have a yielding surface for the ski slope.

Rollers 58 are positioned at each end of the framework and are suitably supported by the beams 44. The rollers may, for example as shown, he a large diameter pipe. Whereas single rollers have the advantage of simplicity of structure, under some circumstances, for ease in handling, it may be advantageous to employ multiple rollers which may be generally or precisely coaxial. The various roller units may be of like diameters, or, under some circumstances, an intermediate roller or rollers, may be of somewhat greater diameter than the end rollers, in order to maintain or adjust tension on the belt.

In order to align the belt as it moves over the rollers and to keep the desired lateral or transverse tension on the belt, the outer surface of the rollers may include a spirally formed gripping surface 60. The spiral surface 60 may start near the center of the roller and is wound in opposite directions toward the outer edges. Either or both of the rollers 58 may have a gripping surface 60, preferably both. The surface 60 may be formed by a non-slipping tape, for example a rubber tape, spirally wound on the surface of the roller or by means of a spiral groove or grooves formed in the surface of the roller. Tape is preferred because of ease of manufacture and cost. What is important is to provide a gripping surface for the rollers that spreads the opposite edges of the belt in opposite directions to keep an even tension on the belt and to properly align the belt. A

"spiral tape having teeth or lugs of a resilient rubber-like material forms an excellent gripping surface.

Each end of the slope framework may include a device for longitudinally adjusting the tension on the belt. As shown in FIGURE 4, each roller axle 62 may have its opposite ends mounted in a housing '64 which has a sleeve portion 66 mounted on a screw 68. The sleeve portion 66 is internally threaded so that rotation of the screw 68 will longitudinally move the axle 62. The take-up means or adjusting means for the axle 62 may be mounted on a suitable framework 70.

FIGURE 4 represents the upper end of the slope and hence the structure at the right is the upper platform 20. This platform may include a plywood or wood base 72 supporting a pile covering 74. In order to prevent any portion of the skis or the fingers of skiers from being caught between the end of the platform 20 and the belt, a suitable block 76, which may extend the width of the platform, is connected to the platform 20. The member 76 may be spring-biased toward the roller by springs 78 positioned against a support 80. The bearing surface 82 of the member 76 may be formed of a suitable plastic which has the necessary qualities as to slipperiness when pressed against the pile fabric. Teflon is a suitable plastic. The pressure exerted by the springs 78 does not press the member 76 firmly into the pile covering, but it is sufficient to close the gap between the platform 20 and the upper roller. In order to close the gap between the lower roller and the ramp or runoff platform 26, a similar structure may be used, or any suitable flap may overlie the belt as it passes around the lower roller.

A small platform 79 (FIGURE 2) may be mounted at the underneath side of the upper portion of the slope structure to support a drive motor 81, which drives the upper roller assembly through a suitable belt, chain or the like. Either the upper or lower roller or both may be driven, but it is preferred to drive only the upper roller. The drive motor is readily adjusted as to speed so that the speed of the belt may be varied. The drive motor must smoothly adjust from one speed to another so that the belt always has an even motion, thus preventing jerks and sudden stops which would disrupt skiing. Once the speed of the motor is set, the belt speed remains constant regardless of the load on the belt.

. FIGURE 8 discloses a variant form of slope. The belt may be formed by a plurality of hinged sections 84, which preferably are metal, and which are hinged together along the inner surface, as at 86, such that the outer surface of the belt is somewhat rigid. In other words, the hinges will not permit the collapse of the sections 84 in an inward direction. There may also be rails 85, formed of wood or otherwise, along each side of the belt to provide further support. The outer surface of the belt may have a skiable surface fastened thereto which will be driven as the hinged sections rotate over roller 88. The roller 88, which may represent the upper or lower roller, may be driven by a suitable drive motor at variable speeds, as was described before. It will be noted that the roller 88 has an outer surface consisting of a series of closely spaced semi-circular grooves or scallops 90* which receive the hinges 86 such that the roller 88 will drive the belt. Preferably, the belt shown in FIGURE 8 would extend the entire width of the skiing surface, however, if the skiable surface was extremely wide, for example 15 or 30 feet, it may be desirable to have a plurality of such belts which will be spaced edge-to-edge or, with a slight space between belts, depending upon the relative stiffness of the belt covering. In any event, the belt shown in FIGURE '8 provides a skiable surface which maybe driven either uphill or downhill, may be regulated in speed, and which has sufficient strength to easily support the weight of a skier.

In order to further simulate skiing surfaces, it may be 6. desirable to dish or wedge up the outside edges of the belt. A generally concave wedge member 92, such as shown in FIGURE 6, may be fastened to the slope superstructure and positioned underneath the moving belt such that the outside edges of the belt will be turned up. The Wedges 92 may have runoff portions 94 at each end and may have a suitable framework 96 which is attached to the slope structure. The wedges help to provide a skiing surface which closely resembles an actual ski slope. FIGURES 16 and 17 show a further form of ski slope having the characteristics described heretofore. A rotatable platform 230 may rotate within a stationary platform 232, each of said platforms having a skiable outer surface. A wall 234 may enclose three sides of the platforms 23% and 232 and there may be a suitable runoff platform or ramp 236 to provide a means for entering and leaving the skiing area. The ramp 236 should have a skiable outer surface as described before. Preferably, the platforms 230 and 232 are tilted so that a skier on the slope can simulate skiing both across and down the slope. In other words, without changing the speed of rotation or the pitch of the slope, the skier can simulate a mountain trail which has numerous changes in direction. The rotatable ski surface may be driven at a constant speed or the speed may be variable, and the skier may himself change his speed by varying his distance from the axis of rotation of the platform.

The platforms 23b and 232 may be mounted on a framework 238 which is pivoted on supports 248 along one edge and supported by jacks 242 along the opposite edge. Both the jacks 242 and the supports 248 may be suitably positioned on foundation 244 or the like. The

jacks 242 may have a threaded portion 246 and a handle 248 so that the pitch of the platforms may be easily adjusted. A suitable framework 250 may mount a drive motor 252 which drives the rotating platform 236 through a pulley 253. Small rollers or wheels 254 may be used to support the rotating platform 230. As clearly shown in FIGURE 17, there may be wheels 254 positioned to both radially and axially support the platform 238. A practice bar 256 may be mounted on a torque rod 258 at the center of the plat-form 230 to support beginning skiers. The practice bar may be of the type hereinafter described. The torque rod 258 may be mounted in a sleeve 260.

The details of the mirror 30 are shown in FIGURE 11. As was described earlier, the mirror is pivotally mounted on a support bracket 56 generally adjacent the center of the mirror. In order to adjust the position of the mirror so that the skiers at different positions on the belt may watch their movements, a drive shaft 38 is pivotally mounted to the mirror adjacent the lower edge. A drive motor 138 is mounted on the mirror framework and has a shaft 140 and a pulley 142 driven thereby. A pillow block 144 mounts the shaft 38 within the mirror structure I and has a sleeve 146 which permits the shaft 38 to pivot slightly about the axis of the pillow block as the mirror is pivotally moved. The sleeve 146 is interiorly threaded for engagement with threaded drive shaft 38. A pulley 148, driven by belt 150 is fixedly secured to the sleeve 146 such that rotation of the pulley and sleeve will drive the cross shaft 38 back and forth, thus pivoting the mirror 30 about point 34.

FIGURES =9 and 10' show a practice bar which may be used with the ski slopes of this invention. It is well known that beginning skiers have some difiiculty in maintaining their balance on skis. Accordingly, a practice bar is provided which may extend outwardly from the sidewalls 12 over the plane of the ski slope so that beginning skiers may hold on and retain their balance while getting the feel of their skis. The practice bar is unique in that as soon as the skier releases the bar, the bar will automatically return. to a position parallel with the sidewalls, thus leaving the path of the skier free if he desires to move down the slope.

FIGURE 9 shows the position of the practice bar in relation to the belt and the sidewall 12. FIGURE 10 shows the details of the practice bar which includes a pipe 152 mounted in a T-shaped sleeve 154 which pivots upon a socket 156 in the sidewall '12. Slidably mounted within the pipe 152 is a rod 158 which is pivotally mounted to a handle 160 which extends outwardly through a slot 162 in the pipe 152. A small bar 164 may be pivotally mounted to a cap 166 and to the handle 160. A spring 168 is attached to the inside of the pipe 152 and normally biases the handle 160 to the outward or upward position, as shown in FIGURE 10. In other Words, the spring 168 normally biases the handle 160 outward and hence the rod 158 to the left, as shown in FIG- URE 10.

A small bracket 170 is mounted on the top of the wall 12 adjacent sleeve 154- and includes an upstanding portion 172 having an aperture or hole 174 in alignment with the pipe 152 and the rod 158. The rod 158 preferably has a tapered portion at the right side which terminates in an end 176 having a diameter slightly smaller than the aperture or hole 174. A small pin 178 is fixed near the end 176 hence limiting the movement of the rod 158 to the right. The inside of pipe 152 may have a small annular projection 180 which limits the movement of the rod 158 in the lefthand direction.

In the operation of the practice bar, as long as a skier holds on to handle 168 and exerts a downward pressure thereon, the rod 152 will be forced towards the right and will extend through the hole 174 in the bracket 170. The practice bar will therefore be fixed in position and will not move. As soon as the skier releases handle 160, the spring 163 will force the handle outward or upward and thus move the rod 158 out of thelock or aperture 174. As the walls 12 are at the same pitch as the slope, as in most cases where beginners are learning to ski there will be a slope, the .weight of the practice bar will pivot the bar about socket 156 out of the way of the skier or to a position generally parallel with the wall. In other words, the practice bar disclosed herein will remain to assist the beginning skier as he holds on to it. As soon as the skier lets go of the bar, as he might when he wants to descend the slope, or if he falls down, the practice bar immediately moves out of the way and leaves the skier an unobstructed path to the bottom of the slope.

The terrain on a ski slope is nearly always uneven and bumpy, and almost every ski slope includes moguls. Moguls are bumps on the snow and are caused by skiers constantly turning in the same place thus piling the snow higher and higher. They may he used by skiers as a variation in terrain, as an obstacle course, or as a means of judging speed. In order to further simulate actual skiing conditions the ski slope of this invention includes moguls. FIGURES l2 and 13 show the details of the belt and platform constructions when moguls are provided on the ski slope. A mogul 132, which may for example be a large fiber glass bubble or bump, is sliced into individual segments 134 and suitably secured to a flexible base 186. The mogul 182 may also be formed of a flexible or yielding material. The base may be secured to belt 188 by suitable rivets or the like 190. Preferably, the outer surface of the mogul is covered by a pile fabric 192, such as that used on the belt, so that the outer surface of the mogul is skiable much like the surface of the belt 188. As can be clearly seen in FIGURE 13, as the mogul reaches the end of the belt and passes around the roller, the segments 184 will separate thus permitting the mogul to easily move around the roller.

Both the ramp 26 and the safety patform 20 must be constructed to receive the moguls as they pass around the rollers at the bottom and top of the belt, otherwise there would be a large gap between the slope and platforms which would catch the skis. As shown in FIG- URE 13, the mogul is passing around the lower roller adjacent the ramp 26. The ramp 26 may have a large cavity 194 within which are mounted a plurality of slideable bars 196 each of which have an inwardly projecting tongue 198 which fits within a mated groove 200 formed in the ramp. Each of the bars 196 are biased toward the 'belt by means of springs 202 positioned in the grooves 200. In other words, each of the bars 196 will normally be biased outwards so that they form an even front for the ramp 28, or the safety platform, whatever the case may be. However, when a mogul, which will always be aligned with the assembly just described, reaches the end of the belt, the segments on the mogul will push against the slideable bars 196 and push these bars inward, against the action of the springs 202 such that the mogul may easily pass around the roller. The bars will be pushed inward a distance suflicient to permit that portion of the mogul opposite the bar to pass around the roller. This is clearly shown in FIGURE 12. Preferably, the runoff platform or ramp 26 is covered with a pile fabric 204 similar to the pile fabric used on the belt and on the moguls so that there will be an uninterrupted and continuous skiing surface provided for the skier coming from the belt and onto the ramp. The pile fabric 204 is supported by a plate 205 and the cavity 194, but not the slideable bars 196. The bars 196 may each be covered with a layer of pile fabric 207, and may have a Teflon end surface 206. The bars 196 and the covering 207 will slide under the plate 205 when the bars move in upon contact with a mogul. By having a fabric covering for the bars, the entire surface area will have a skiable covering. The pile fabric 192 on the mogul will easily slide on the Teflon end surface 206.

As mentioned above, the outer surface of the ski slope has a skiable surface, for example made of a nylon pile fabric. In order to provide skis that will easily slide over this surface and which will not damage the surface, it is preferred that the bottom surface of the ski be coated with a suitable plastic.

The bottom of the skis and the pile fabric must develop a coefficient of friction such that when the slope structure is horizontal and the belt is moving, a skier will move with the belt, but once the slope structure moves away from the horizontal, for example towards a slope having a pitch of 7 degrees, the skier will move downhill. Plastics formed of tetrafiuoroethylene, known in the trade as Teflon and Rulon are satisfactory, and both have coefficients of friction between .12 and .24. The plastic known in the trade as Delrin is also satisfactory. All of these products are self-lubricating and have the necessary slipperiness. Plastics of this type are generally etched to receive a :bond, and they may be bonded to the ski body with an epoxy resin cement. Plastics such as cellulose acetate and cellulose nitrate are also satisfactory for the ski bottom.

FIGURES 14 and 15 illustrates skis which are satisfactory for use on the ski slope of this invention. FIG- URE 14 illustrates a ski 208 which has a stepped bottom surface 210, which is suitable for use in uphill skiing. In this connection, the slope instead of being driven uphill, may be driven downhill and the skier would ski uphill, the stepped bottom surface preventing the ski from slipping down. FIGURE 15 is a cross section through the ski of FIGURE 14 to illustrate the construction of the ski bottom surface, and in addition illustrates the bottom surface of a normal ski used on the ski slope shown herein. The ski shown in FIGURE 15 has a bottom surface 212 with a suitable plastic layer 214, as described above. The edges 216 may be covered with a suitable plastic material, in the form of inserts 218 or the layer 214 may extend to the edges. Normally skis are made with metal edges. However, such skis are impractical for use on the ski slope of this invention as they would cut the pile fabric. Accordingly, it is preferred to have 9 plastic edges for the skis, or some other equivalent slippery material.

Normal ski poles have hard metal tips which would rip or tear the pile fabric forming the slope. Accordingly, rubber or rubber substitute tips may be placed on the ski poles.

It is also satisfactory to form the pole of hollow tubing, for example fiberglass reinforced with an epoxy or similar synthetic resin. Such a pole may be open at the bottom and closed at the top. The pole may be tapered so that the lower end has a smaller diameter and provides a ring to penetrate around a portion of the pile skiable surface to provide the type of gripping necessary to give support to the skier when he pushes down on his ski pole. Suitable handgrips may be provided on the poles.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of a traverse slope in which the belt may run across the angle of inclination of the slope. In other words, using FIG- URE 2 as an example, the belt would be driven laterally rather than up or down hill. Such a traverse slope would allow the skier to practice a further type of skiing maneuver. Various angles may be introduced to the traverse slope by providing a means for raising or lowering one or more of the four corners of the belt.

The use, operation and function of the invention are as follows:

My invention, stated broadly, relates to the combination of a ski practice surface with a ski usable upon the surface to simulate outdoor skiing conditions on snow. It is essential that an underlying support be provided which, however, may advantageously be something less than rigid. Thus, in FIGURE 3 I illustrate an underlying supporting structure which may be constituted by a relatively light frame of metal supporting a plywood surface which has a substantial give to it. This slight flexibility is advantageous and may also, under some circumstances, be obtained or helped by some degree of padding beneath the skiing surface. The ski engaging surface, which is actually engaged by the bottom edges of the skis, still must provide for a substantial degree of penetration effective to maintain edge control. In other words, a mass of material or pile must be employed into which the edge Bf the ski may sink to a degree sufiicient to prevent unintended or undesired lateral slippage of the ski on the ski receiving surface. It is essential also that the relative slipperiness of the ski and of the ski receiving surface be suflicient to simulate a range of conditions which exist in actual skiing on snow surfaces or snow slopes. Where desired, the act of skiing down a slope may be, to a degree, simulated by transversely skiing on a traveling and preferably upwardly inclined belt or ski supporting surface. The relative slipperiness of ski and ski surface are preferably such that if the ski bottoms evenly engage the skiing surface of the skier skis off the lower end of the ski run or slope. In practice, with the structures applicant has employed, this skiing off takes place regardless of the speed of movement of the belt or skiing surface. However, when the skier slightly tilts his skis and turns them to cause the edges to sink into the surface to be skied upon then the edge control thereby maintained by the skier enables him to ski back and forth upon the slope. He may, if he desires, ski up off the top of the slope. Similarly, he can ski, down a slope against the movement of the belt to the bottom support. It will be understood that a wide variety of materials may be employed, as elsewhere set out herein.

exhibitions on skiing, and as a means for providing an indoor sport for those having some degree of proficiency as skiers. In this connection a number of the structures shown may be provided in a suitable auditorium, such as shown in FIGURE 1. Although the invention has been described generally in connection with a sloping ski surface, it should be realized that the slope structure may be moved to a generally horizontal plane to train cross-country skiers. The particular characteristics of the slope surface in combination with the bottom surface of the skis'are also advantageous on a stationary slope, for example, a ski jump.

The device shown may vary in size from a 7-foot width to a width of feet or more, although these dimensions are not limiting. The lnegth of the slope may also vary up to as much-as 100 feet or more. Although the angle of inclination of the slope may be changed, normally 15 degrees is a satisfactory angle, and angles over 22 /2 degrees should be avoided. A belt speed of 100 feet to 700 feet per minute is satisfactory, although again this may vary.

The invention generally comprises a moving belt having a skiable outer surface, which may be a pile fabric, which may be driven at various speeds to simulate different skiing conditions. Preferably, the skiable surface is white. The belt may be driven uphill or downhill, depending what use is to be made of the slope. In ad-' dition, the belt may have its angle of inclination relative to the horizontal, or the slope of the skiing surface, changed to further vary the skiing conditions.

The particular details of construction described herein may be varied to a large extent without departing from the principles disclosed herein. For example, the exact makeup of the skiable surface may vary. A pile fabric 'Stated more specifically, a primary purpose of the of nylon yarn for example, is satisfactory, as is a fabric or surface made of small nylon beads suitably mounted on the belt. What is important is to provide a skiable surface upon which skis coated with a layer of a slippery plastic may slide. The skiable surface should have four important qualities. It should have a cushioning affect, that is to say it should be resilient. Secondly, the surface must not provide too much friction so that the flat bot tom of the ski will slip smoothly and steadily without grabbing. texture of the slope must be such that the ski edge can dig in when the ski is tilted sideways and at varying angles to the slope so that the skier can slow down, turn or come to a dead stop. Lastly the slope must beflexible or yielding to some extent. The combination of these qualities provides an excellent skiing surface.

In order to further simulate the actual conditions of skiing, it is desirable to add van'ons terrain features to the moving belt. For example, the belt may be dished.

on opposite edges by the use of Wedges inserted underneath the belt. The belt may easily slide over the wedges and as it does it will move up along the edge and thereby provide a dished surface, much as a ski trail would actually be. In addition, moguls are quite commonly found on most ski trails. Accordingly, a further feature or" thisinvention is to provide moguls on the mov-? ing belt forming the skiable surface. These moguls would not be used in every case, but only in those installations where the surface was used by more practiced skiers, as moguls may prove hazardous to beginners. The moguls, which are preferably a fiberglass bubble or bump are segmented such that they may move around the end of the rollers, at both the top and bottom of the.

belt. When the moguls are made of fiberglass or simi-1 lar rigid material, there should be a layer of cushioning and resilient rubber under the skiable surface. This cushion may he thicker and somewhat softer than the layer between the belt and nylon pile. Preferably, the upper safety platform and the lower ramp are specially constructed at points in alignment with the moguls to per: mit the moguls to move around the ends of the rollers.

The third characteristic is that the surface A further feature of the invention is the provision of a reflective surface or mirror which is positioned in alignment with the skiable surface and which is pivotally mounted such that its angle in relation to the skiable surface may be varied. In this way, those using the ski slope may observe their movements thus quickly correcting any. defects in form. The mirror, which may be pivoted intermediate its ends, may have a suitable drive motor positioned and attached thereto such .that the angle of the mirror relative to the skiable surface may be varied from a remote position. In this connection, the angle of inclination of the slope, the speed of the belt and the relative angle of the mirror may all be controlled from a remote location by either an instructor or an op erator who is in full view of those using the skiable surface.

A further feature of the invention is a practice bar, which extends over the skiable surface, and which is adapted to retract once the skier using the bar has released it. In this way, if a skier wants to ski down, or falls down and thus would move down the slope, the bar automatically moves out of the way to provide an unobstructive path to the bottom of the slope. The bar is uniquely constructed such that as it is grasped it is locked in position to extend over the slope and at a height such that the skier may easily grasp it. The practice bar has particular advantage in teaching beginners as it gives them the feel of the slope.

Whereas the preferred form of the invention has been shown and described herein, it should be realized that there are many modifications, substitutions and alterations thereto within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A moving ski and ski slope assembly adapted for snowless skiing which includes an endless belt having a ski receiving stretch substantially longer and wider than an average ski length, whereby to provide space for transverse skiing, means for driving said belt at predetermined speeds, with its ski receiving stretch conforming to a predetermined profile, means for maintaining said stretch supported generally uniformly throughout its area, a ski receiving surfacing for such belt formed and adapted to permit a ski edge to sink therein, while resisting edgewise movement of the ski across the belt, whereby to afford edge control, a removable skiing bar extending across the direction of movement of the belt and adapted for use by skiers upon the belt, and skis for said assembly having lower edges and surfaces of a material which, in relation to the material of the belt surfacing have substantially the coefficient of friction of usual skis on snow.

2. The structure of claim 1 further characterized by means for locking said bar in the extended position when it is held by a skier, and means for moving said bar out of the path of the skier when the bar is released.

3. A moving ski and ski slope assembly adapted for snowless skiing which includes an endless belt having a ski receiving stretch substantially longer and wider than an average ski length, whereby to provide space for transverse skiing, spaced rollers, means for driving said belt at predetermined speeds around said spaced rollers, said rollers being positioned, one to another, such that the ski receiving stretch of the belt conforms generally to a predetermined inclined profile, a support beneath the ski receiving stretch of said belt which provides substantially uniform support throughout the area of said ski receiving stretch, a nylon pile ski receiving surface for the belt formed and adapted to permit a ski edgeto sink therein, while resisting edgewise movement of the ski across the belt, whereby to afford edge control, upper and lower platforms adjacent the upper and lower ends of said belt, means for varying the angle of inclination of the belt profile, said last-named means including means for raising and lowering the upper platform, means for varying the contour of the belt, and skis for said assembly having lower edges and surfaces of a material having the general characteristics of Teflon as to the coeflicient of friction, said lower edges and surface material further having substantially the coefficient of friction of usual skis on snow relative to the nylon pile surfacing of the belt,

4. A moving ski and ski slope assembly adapted for snowless skiing which includes an endless belt having a ski receiving stretch substantially longer and wider than an average ski length, whereby to provide space for transverse skiing, means for driving said belt at predetermined speeds, with its ski receiving stretch conforming to a predetermined profile, means for maintaining said stretch supported generally uniformly throughout its area, a pile ski receiving surfacing for such belt said surfacing being bulkier at the top than at the base and being formed and adapted to permit a ski edge to sink therein, while resisting edgewise movement of the ski across the belt, whereby to afford edge control, skis for said assembly having lower edges and surfaces of a material which, in relation to the material of the belt surfacing have substantially the coeflicient of friction of usual skis on snow, and a movable mirror positioned relative to the belt to permit a skier thereon to observe his position and movement, and means for moving said mirror.

5. A moving ski and ski slope assembly adapted for snowless skiing which includes an endless belt having a ski receiving stretch substantially longer and wider than an average ski length, whereby to provide space for transverse skiing, means for driving said belt at predetermined speeds, with its ski receiving stretch conforming to a predetermined profile, means for maintaining said stretch supported generally uniformly throughout its area, a ski receiving surfacing for such belt formed and adapted to permit a ski edge to sink therein, while resisting edgewise movement of the ski across the belt, whereby to afford edge control, upper and lower platforms positioned adjacent the ends of the ski receiving stretch of the belt, moving moguls, having a surface of said ski receiving surfacing, which change the contour of said belt, means permitting said moguls to pass freely by said upper and lower platforms, and skis for said assembly having lower edges and surfaces of a material which, in relation to the material of the belt surfacing have substantially the coeflicient of friction of usual skis on snow.

6. The structure of claim 5 further characterized in that each of said moguls includes a segmented plastic bump.

7. A moving ski and ski slope assembly adapted for snowless skiing which includes an endless belt having a ski receiving stretch substantially longer and wider than an average ski length, whereby to provide space for transverse skiing, spaced rollers, means for driving said belt at predetermined speeds around said spaced rollers, said rollers being positioned, one to another, such that the ski receiving stretch of the belt conforms generally to a predetermined inclined profile, a support beneath the ski receiving stretch of said belt which provides substantially uniform support throughout the area of said ski receiving stretch, a pile ski receiving surfacing for the belt said surfacing being bulkier at the top than at the base and being formed and adapted to Permit a ski edge to sink therein, while resisting edgewise movement of the ski across the belt, whereby to afford edge control, upper and lower platforms adjacent the upper and lower ends of said belt, means for varying the angle of inclination of the belt, said last named means including means for raising and lowering one of said platforms, and skis for said assembly having lower edges and surfaces of a material which, in relation to the material of the belt surfacing have substantially the coetficient of friction of usual skis on snow.

8. A moving ski and ski slope assembly adapted for snowless skiing which includes an endless belt having a ski receiving stretch substantially longer and wider than an average ski length, whereby to provide space for transverse skiing, means for driving said belt at predetermined speeds, with its ski receiving stretch conforming to a predetermined profile, means for maintaining said stretch supported generally uniformly throughout its area, a pile ski receiving surfacing having the general characteristics of nylon for the belt, said surfacing being bulkier at the top than at the base and being formed and adapted to permit a ski edge to sink therein, while resisting edgewise movement of the ski across the belt, whereby to afford edge control, and skis for said assembly having lower edges and surfaces of a material having the general characteristics of Teflon as to the coeflicient of friction, said lower edges and surface material further having substantially the coeflicient of friction of usual skis on snow relative to the pile surfacing of the belt.

9. A moving ski and ski slope assembly adapted for snowless skiing which includes an endless belt having a ski receiving stretch substantially longer and wider than an average ski length, whereby to provide space for transverse skiing, spaced rollers, means for driving said belt at predetermined speeds around said spaced rollers, said rollers being positioned, one to another, such that the ski receiving stretch of the belt conforms generally to a predetermined inclined profile, a support beneath the ski receiving stretch of said belt which provides substantially uniform support throughout the area of said ski receiving stretch, a pile ski receiving surfacing having the general characteristics of nylon for the belt, said surfacing being bulkier at the top than at the base and being formed and adapted to permit a ski edge to sink therein, while resisting edgewise movement of the ski across the belt, whereby to afford edge control, and skis for said assembly having lower edges and surfaces of a material having the general characteristics of Teflon as to the coefiicient of friction, said lower edges and surface material further having substantially the coefficient of friction of usual skis on snow relative to the pile surfacing of the belt.

10. A moving ski and ski slope assembly adapted for snowless skiing which includes an endless belt having a ski receiving stretch substantially longer and wider than an average ski length, whereby to provide space for transverse skiing, means for driving said belt at predetermined speeds, with its ski receiving stretch conforming to a predetermined profile, a support beneath the ski receiving stretch of said belt which provides substantially uniform support throughout the area of said ski receiving stretch, a pile ski receiving surfacing for the belt said surfacing being bulkier at the top than at the base and being formed and adapted to permit a ski edge to sink therein, while resisting edgewise movement of the ski across the belt, whereby to afford edge control, upper and lower platforms adjacent the upper and lower ends of said belt, means for varying the angle of inclination of the belt profile, said last named means including means for raising and lowering one of said platforms, means for varying the contour of the belt, and skis for said assembly having lower edges and surfaces of a material having the general characteristics of Teflon as to the coeflicient of friction, said lower edges and surface material further having substantially the coefficient of friction of usual skis on snow relative to the surfacing of the belt.

11. A moving ski and ski slope assembly adapted for snowless skiing which includes an endless belt having a ski receiving stretch substantially longer and wider than an average ski length, whereby to provide space for transverse skiing, means for driving said belt at predetermined speeds, with its ski receiving stretch conforming generally to a predetermined inclined profile, means for maintaining said stretch supported generally uniformly throughout its area, a pile ski receiving surfacing for such belt said surfacing being bulkier at the top than at the base and being formed and adapted to permit a ski edge to sink therein, while resisting edgewise movement of the ski across the be1t,,a platform adjacent the upper end of the ski receiving stretch, and means for varying the angle of inclination of the ski receiving stretch, and skis for said assembly having lower edges and surfaces of a material which, in relation to the material of the belt surfacing, has substantially the coefiicient of friction of usual skis on snow.

12. A moving ski and ski slope assembly adapted for snowless skiing which includes an endless belt having a ski receiving stretch substantially longer and wider than an average ski length, whereby to provide space for transverse skiing, spaced rollers, means for driving said belt at predetermined speeds around said spaced rollers, said rollers being positioned one to another, such that the ski receiving stretch of the belt conforms generally to a predetermined inclined profile, supporting means beneath the ski receiving stretch of said belt which provides substantially uniform support throughout the area of said ski receiving stretch, said belt having a ski receiving surfacing of small, closely spaced rods having the general characteristics of nylon, larger at the top than at the base, and formed and adapted to permit a ski edge to sink therein, while resisting edgewise movement of the ski across the belt, whereby to afford edge control, and skis for said assembly having lower edges and surfaces of a material having substantially the coelficient of friction of usual skis on snow relative to the surfacing of th belt.

13. A moving ski and ski slope assembly adapted for snowless skiing which includes an endless belt having a ski receiving stretch substantially longer and wider than an average ski length, whereby to provide space for transverse skiing, spaced rollers, means for driving said belt at predetermined speeds around said spaced rollers, said rollers being positioned, one to another, such that the ski receiving stretch of the belt conforms generally to a predetermined inclined profile, supporting means beneath the ski receiving stretch of said belt which provides substantially uniform support throughout the area of said ski receiving stretch, said belt having a ski receiving surfacing of small beads having the general characteristics of nylon, said head surfacing being formed and adapted to permit a ski edge to sink below the beads to thereby resist edgewise movement of the ski across the belt, whereby to afford edge control, and skis for said assembly having lower edges and surfaces of a material having substantially the coefficient of friction of usual skis on snow relative to the surfacing of the belt.

14. A moving ski and ski slope assembly adapted for snowless skiing which includes an endless belt having a ski receiving stretch substantially longer and wider than an average ski length, whereby to provide space for transverse skiing, spaced rollers, means for driving said belt at predetermined speeds around said spaced rollers, said rollers being positioned, one to another, such that the ski receiving stretch of the belt conforms generally to a predetermined inclined profile, supporting means beneath the ski receiving stretch of said belt which provides substantially uniform support throughout the area of said ski receiving stretch, said belt having a ski receiving surfacing of closely spaced loops of yarn having the general characteristics of nylon in which loops are larger at the top than the spacing at the base, said surfacing being formed and adapted to permit a ski edge to sink therein, while resisting edgewise movement of the ski across the belt, whereby to afford edge control, and skis for said assembly having lower edges and surfaces of a material having substantially the coefficient of friction of usual skis on snow relative to the surfacing of the belt.

15. The combination of claim 14 further characterized in that said spaced loops are formed of twisted nylon yarn.

16. The combination of claim 14 further characterized in that said loops of yarn are formed of crimped nylon fibers.

17. A moving ski and ski slope assembly adapted for snowless skiing which includes an endless belt having a ski receiving stretch substantially longer and wider than an average ski length, whereby to provide space for transverse skiing, spaced rollers, means for driving said belt at predetermined speeds around said spaced rollers, said roller-s being positioned, one to another, such that the ski receiving stretch of the belt conforms generally to a predetermined inclined profile, supporting means beneath the ski receiving stretch of said belt which provides substantially uniform support throughout the area of said ski receiving stretch, said belt having a ski receiving surfacing of closely spaced projections of a thermoplastic plastic, bulkier at the top than at the base, and formed and adapted to permit a ski edge to sink therein, while resisting edgewise movement of the ski across the belt, whereby to afford edge control, and skis for said assembly having lower edges and surfaces of a material having substantially the coefficient of friction of usual skis on snow relative to the surfacing of the belt.

18. The combination of claim 17 further characterized by padding beneath said belt.

19. The combination of claim 17 further characterized by a dry lubricant in .the form of powder for said ski receiving surfacing.

20. The structure of claim 19 further characterized in that said dry lubricant includes boric acid powder.

21. A moving ski and ski slope assembly adapted for snowless skiing which includes an endless belt having a ski receiving stretch substantially longer and wider than an average ski length, whereby to provide space for transverse skiing, spaced rollers, said rollers being positioned, one to another, such that the ski receiving stretch of the belt conforms generally to a predetermined inclined profile, means for driving said belt at predetermined speeds around said spaced rollers, including a drive operably connected to the upper roller, 21 support beneath the ski receiving stretch of said belt which provides substantially uniform support throughout the area of said ski receiving stretch, padding positioned beneath the belt, a pile ski receiving surface for the belt formed of closely spaced loops of nylon yarn, bulkier at the top than at the base, said ski receiving surface being formed and adapted to permit a ski edge to sink therein, while resisting edgewise movement of the ski across the belt, whereby to afford edge control, upper and lower platforms adjacent the upper and lower ends of said belt, means for varying the angle of inclination of the belt profile, said last-named means including means for raising and lowering the upper platform, means for varying the contour of the belt, and skis for said assembly having lower edges and surfaces of a material having substantially the coetficient of friction of usual skis on snow relative to the nylon pile surfacing of the belt.

22. A moving ski and ski slope assembly adapted for snowless skiing which includes an endless belt having a i 6 ski receiving stretch substantially longer than an average ski linegth and being of a Width sufiicient to accommodate more than one skier skiing transversely on the belt, guide means at opposite ends of the belt, means for driving the belt around said guide means with its ski receiving stretch conforming generally to a predetermined inclined profile, means for supporting said ski receiving stretch generally uniformly throughout its area including a support structure which is yielding and which is generally continuous throughout its area, said support structure further including a surface upon which the belt is slideable with a minimum of friction, said belt having a ski receiving surfacing with the general characteristics of nylon and having sufficient strength to support a skier, said surfacing being formed and adapted to permit a ski edge to sink therein, skis for said assembly having lower edges and surfaces of a material having the general characteristics of Teflon as to the coefficient of friction, said lower edges and surfaces further having substantially the coefiicient of friction of usual skis on snow relative to the surfacing of the belt, the combination of the angle of the slope, the skis and surfacing being such that a skier on skis positioned substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the belt will, due to gravity, ski down the upward moving belt, and a skier having skis extending across the direction of movement of the belt will be lifted upward by the upward moving belt and surfacing.

23. The combination of claim 22 further characterized by a'dry lubricant in the form of powder for said surfacing.

24. The combination of claim 22 further characterized by padding beneath said surfacing.

25. The combination of claim 22 further characterized in that said surfacing includes crimped nylon fibers.

26. The structure of claim 8 further characterized by means for varying the contour of said belt.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

